February New Books!

Theo is the puppy, Beau is the little boy. When Beau was about a year old, he and his brother and sister asked for a puppy for Christmas. A few months later, Theo came into their lives, adopted from a shelter.

From the moment they met, Theo and Beau were best friends. And like all friends, they like to do things together. Like nap! Every day, Theo waits for Beau to fall asleep. When he does, Theo is sleepy too! So Beau’s mom Hoists him up on the bed, Theo plops himself on top of Beau, and they nap together for a couple hours. With simple, descriptive text, this book shows some of the best pictures of their naps together.

I have to admit, I fell in love with the pictures of Theo and Beau online, and I follow the author’s blog: Momma’s Gone City. There’s something special between this boy and his dog, and I hope to see pictures of Theo and Beau continue.

Charlotte and James and their little brother, Baby John, have promised to be on their best behavior while President George Washington comes to sit for a portrait to be painted by their father, Gilbert Stuart. But when he comes, Baby John chews his hair ribbon, James chases their cat up Mr. Washington’s shoulder, and Charlotte is caught spying, because she just wanted to see if the president could smile.

After the disastrous first visit, Mr. Washington sends the Stuart children a copy of his book of manners, and Charlotte, being a very polite little girl, writes her thanks and apologies in a series of letters. The text of this book is those letters, with illustrations showing how things *really* went.

I love this book! The expressions on both the children and the adults’ faces; the exuberance of Charlotte, James and Baby John as they try to impress and befriend the imposing Mr. Washington, the despair of the parents as everything goes completely wrong, the illustrations of children’s interpretation of Mr. Washington’s Rules for Good Behavior, (with guest appearances from Benjamin Franklin, Martha Washington and Thomas Jefferson). Based on a true event, described in a brief afterword, this is a perfect way to meet George Washington for young readers.

Based the tale from the Brothers Grimm, and translated from the German, the retelling of Little Red Riding Hood (called Little Red Cap in this version) is the older, traditional version of the tale. Grandma does get eaten, as does Little Red, and the Huntsman shows up to kill the wolf in a rather gruesome way and save the day.

But the illustrations! They are so beautifully done. Cut-paper illustrations allow the reader to look through the woods to try to see what is happening on the next page. And then, when you turn the page, looking back where you’ve been is almost better. Black and red feature heavily in the color scheme, which is appropriate for Little Red and the Wolf.

I wouldn’t give this to a very young child, as the pages with the cuts are quite delicate. But if you’re looking for a way to share Little Red Riding Hood with your child, this is a wonderful way to do it.

Includes favorites like The Country Mouse and the City Mouse, The Tortoise and the Hair, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Story of Little Sambha and the Tigers, and Sleeping Beauty.

Wonderful re-tellings, with even more wonderful illustrations. If you’re looking for a collection of tales to share with your child at bedtime, where they can pour over the pictures while you read the stories.

This series features special animals–but all of them have captured the attention of the public in one way or another! Some are great escape artists, some have poignant stories of survival, some are strong rescuers. All are unforgettable. Each book features three animals and the people who care for them.

In Tiger in Trouble, you’ll meet Nitro, a tiger kept as a pet in a small cage who no one knew was blind, Etheral, a baby albino bat whose white fur made it impossible for her to catch food, and Suzie, Bob and Caleb, three Vervet monkeys each raised as a pet who had to come together to be a family.

This series is perfect for second and third grader readers who love animals.

This series is similar to the Eyewitness books, but for a slightly younger audience. Well researched, with great photographs and illustrations. The Eyewonder series also features some fun activities and games, as well as a facts check-up, glossary and index at the end of the book.

I haven’t read it yet, but I can’t wait! A sequel to one of my favorite books (and my favorite audio book of all time) The True Meaning of Smekday.

Tip and J.Lo are apparently back for another hilarious intergalactic adventure, getting their former car/now spaceship Slushious out of mothballs and heading to New Boovworld to clear J.Lo’s name. But with J.Lo dubbed Public Enemy Number One and Captain Smek out to capture him to prove his worth as the future president, it won’t be as easy as they thought.

The True Meaning of Smekday has been adapted into a film coming out this year called Home. Read the book or listen to the audio book before you see the film though. There’s no way it can be anywhere near as good!

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If you want more information on these books, or if you want a different new book to read, visit the library and ask a librarian for help.